A little Twitter never hurts, does it?

I haven't created a post in quite a while.  Mark O'Connell has written several thought-provoking pieces over the last few months.  There have been many times that I have thought, "Oh, that would make for interesting reading."  But the idea, unfortunately, never made it to my laptop screen.  So here goes several  months of built-up thoughts, ideas, and maybe a touch of angst.

I have become a devotee of Twitter ever since the Tahrir Square uprisings in Cairo.  I followed these heroes as they steadfastly refused to allow an autocratic ruler to remain in power.  I marveled at their tenacity, their bravery, their love for their homeland.  As a result, I now am following the additional protests in Libya, Iran, Yemen, and the others.  It is inspiring, yet frightening.

I look to Wisconsin, to Ohio where union rights are being challenged.  I look to Texas and many other states where a woman's right to choose is being more and more restricted.  I look to the Congress where the President's attempt to scrap the DOMA is, naturally, being vigorously challenged by the right.  I look to so many states where funding for those less privileged are being cut to the bone.

It is no news to you that our access to information is both a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because we can get answers and viewpoints within seconds.  A curse because if we just keep taking in all of this information through a little screen, our level of hope can begin to fade away.  We need human interaction.  We need laughter, activity, love, touch, and yes, tears.

I left my computer yesterday and went for a run in the morning.  I played with my daughter in the afternoon.  I went for a walk around the neighborhood with my family at dusk.  And the three of us cuddled up on the couch last night and watched movies together.

Twitter has its place.  But I cannot let it re-place those things that are precious to me.